Contempt of Congress is the act of obstructing the work of the United States Congress or one of its committees. Historically the bribery of a senator or representative was considered contempt of Congress. In modern times, contempt of Congress has generally applied to the refusal to comply with a subpoena issued by a Congressional committee or subcommittee — usually seeking to compel either testimony or the production of documents.
Read more about Contempt Of Congress: History, Subpoenas, Procedures, Partial List of Those Held in Contempt Since 1975, Other Legislatures in The U.S.
Famous quotes containing the words contempt and/or congress:
“Wrongs are often forgiven, but contempt never is. Our pride remembers it forever.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)
“Such is the labor which the American Congress exists to protect,—honest, manly toil,—honest as the day is long,—that makes his bread taste sweet, and keeps society sweet,—which all men respect and have consecrated; one of the sacred band, doing the needful but irksome drudgery.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)